NBA roundup: Lakers make pitch to Anthony

July 03, 2014|Reuters

The Sports Xchange

NBA roundup: Lakers make pitch to Anthony

It was the Lakers' turn Thursday to try to woo free agent forward Carmelo Anthony to join Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles.

Anthony arrived at the Lakers' practice facility a little after after 3 p.m. ET, and left almost three hours later. Kobe Bryant, who has been traveling in Brazil and Europe, was returning to take part in the Lakers' pitch, but was not present. Bryant and Anthony are long-time friends and Olympic teammates, and the Lakers' star was hoping to meet Anthony sometime Thursday night.

As he was leaving the Lakers, Anthony signed autographs and had a few words for reporters.

"You know I can't say anything right now, but I wanted to stop and say hey," Anthony said.

ESPN reported that the Lakers thought their pitch to Anthony went "really well." A source added, "I don't know how big of a shot we have, but I think we have a shot."

Another Lakers source, according to ESPN, described Anthony as "extremely attentive" throughout the meeting.

Anthony also was scheduled to meet with the New York Knicks on Thursday evening in Los Angeles, CBSSports.com reported.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, president Jeanie Buss and executive vice president of player personnel Jim Buss were expected to be involved in the recruitment of Anthony.

According to ESPN.com, the Lakers have made Anthony and free agent LeBron James the main focus of their offseason, going so far as to hold off hiring a coach and signing other free agents until they could make their pitches to the two players.

James and his agent, Rich Paul, have yet to grant formal meetings to any teams.

The Lakers might be even less appealing to Anthony should they lose free agent center Pau Gasol, who is being courted by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat.

The Bulls, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets all have met with Anthony this week.

The Knicks remain confident that they can re-sign the All-Star. ESPN quoted a source as saying team president Phil Jackson has "connected" with Anthony.

The Knicks can offer Anthony a maximum contract of five years and $129 million. The most any other team can give him is four years and $96 million.

--- The Sacramento Kings and guard Darren Collison agreed to a three-year deal worth $16 million, according to reports.

ESPN.com reported that the deal is fully guaranteed and is for the Kings' full midlevel exception. Contracts can't officially be signed until July 10.

Collison opted out of the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers that would have paid him $1.985 million next season. Clippers coach Doc Rivers had said re-signing Collison was one of the team's top priorities this offseason.

Collison, 26, started at both point guard and shooting guard for the Clippers last season when Chris Paul, J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford went down with injuries. In 80 games last season, Collison averaged 11.4 points, 2.4 rebounds along with 3.7 assists in 25.9 minutes per game.

---The Los Angeles Clippers, looking for roster upgrades, have engaged in conversations with the Brooklyn Nets to try to construct a sign-and-trade that would reunite Paul Pierce with Doc Rivers, ESPN.com reported Thursday.

Rivers, the Clippers' president and coach, has had several conversations with Pierce, a small forward, since he became a free agent July 1. It would bring Pierce back under the coaching guidance of Rivers like he had in Boston.

According to ESPN.com, the Clippers could simply sign Pierce as a free agent using their midlevel exception at $5.3 million, but they are interested in pursuing sign-and-trade scenarios that would allow Brooklyn to get something in return for the 10-time All-Star.

Because Brooklyn holds his so-called Bird rights, a sign-and-trade also would allow Pierce -- who made $15.3 million last season -- to sign for more than the midlevel exception.